The Panel for Friday 29 August 2025

The Pre-Panel for 29 August 2025 

Jesse Mulligan is joined by The Panel host Wallace Chapman and producer José Barbosa to preview this evening's marlarky.

Photo: RNZ / Jeff McEwan

The Panel with Jo McCarroll and Ed Amon Part 1

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Jo McCarroll and Ed Amon. 

First up: emotions have been running high over proposals to allow for greater housing and development around City Rail Link stations in Auckland. About 200 people packed out the Mt Eden Village Centre in Auckland last night. Margot McRae is the chairperson of Devonport Heritage and a member of Character Coalition. She explains her opposition to the proposals which could impact heritage buildings.
Then, a school principal says the proposed changes to NCEA by Erica Stanford will disadvantage under achieving students in poorer areas. The Panel talks to Leanne Webb, from Aorere College in Papatoetoe. 

About 200 people packed out the Mt Eden Village Centre in Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Finn Blackwell

The Panel with Jo McCarroll and Ed Amon Part 2

Kicking off the second half: South Australia is about to be the first Australian state to ban soy sauce fish containers. The Panel talks to Dr Nina Wootton a marine scientist specialising in microplastics at the University of Adelaide: she's pretty happy about the whole thing. 

And then: the story of Pleakly the tūī. Pleakly lives at the Ōtorohanga Kiwi House in Waikato and has around 15 favourite phrases including "hey buddy" and "good boy". He's become a TikTok star, and the panel talks to manager Mat Ronaldson about his famous feathered friend. 

A Tui at Zealandia Wildlife Reserve 10th December 2024. Photo: Nick Ut